Sweet Chestnut Situation in Romania

Romania's sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) population, primarily concentrated in Vâlcea, Gorj, Caras-Severin, and Maramures counties, faces significant threats from chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica Barr.), particularly in Maramures where extensive groves exist. To combat this, the Forest Research and Management Institute in Bucharest has focused on integrated control measures since 2003. The study highlights Romania's long-standing research on chestnuts, dating back to the early 20th century, which includes breeding programs at stations like Baia Mare, Tg. Jiu, and Valcea, resulting in several named cultivars such as 'Mara', 'Iza', and 'Tismana'. Additionally, a trial comparing French cultivars with Romanian selections was conducted to establish a suitable assortment for southern Romania. Legal protection of European chestnut since 2003 aims to preserve existing orchards and encourage new plantings, underscoring the tree's economic potential.

Botu, M. (2010). SWEET CHESTNUT SITUATION IN ROMANIA. Acta Horticulturae, (866), 511–515. https://doi.org/10.17660/actahortic.2010.866.69